Partner Article

Which sectors and regions are thriving?

Our latest employment trends analysis looks at the contract recruitment market and provides an overview of vacancy levels, salaries and in demand skills across our core regions. In positive news, it has found that a number of regions are enjoying growth considerably above the national average, while different industries are thriving in certain parts of the country. So with this in mind, which sectors are set to show demand for contractors in 2015?

Digital

Unsurprisingly, the report found that the digital sector has experienced, and looks set to continue to experience, impressive growth. The South West was one area where there has been particular demand for technical specialists to service the region’s burgeoning app development field. Although demand dropped off towards the end of 2014, it’s expected to pick up again as we progress through 2015. It’s not surprising that, with almost 172,900 start-ups registered in the region since 2010, opportunities have been created for professionals with experience of working with early stage businesses. Elsewhere, the North West also noted significant demand for digital talent, many of whom will work in the new £1.1billion Media City location. As with the South West, web developers and project leaders are in the highest demand.

Property

Demand for property and housing specialists has been growing for some time now as a result of the improving market. As we’re all aware, house prices have shot through the roof in recent times and this has driven demand for specialists in a number of regions. While the North East did not enjoy the most prosperous time in terms of job vacancies across the public sector, the area is home to a property market that has been described as “remarkable” in recent times and should be set to create positions for contractors in a range of different roles. However, it’s not only the North East that has benefitted from the improving property arena; a number of other regions – such as Central & East and North West - also noted a strong demand for property specialists.

Manufacturing & Construction

Manufacturing was always expected to experience a rebirth after a number of challenging years during the global recession. Many consumers held off investing in new cars in the downturn and are choosing now to invest in new models. As a result, car sales reached a 10-year high earlier this month and manufacturers have benefitted greatly. The vast majority of these firms are based in the Midlands region and it’s this demand for vehicles that has created a variety of roles for contractors. However, it’s not only the car market that has been behind the vacancy growth. The development of infrastructure programmes, such as the Crossrail project, have also created roles for thousands contractors with experience of working on large-scale developments.

Healthcare

It’s been well documented over the past few months that the health service requires additional staff across a range of key areas. The NHS plays an absolutely critical role in the running of the UK and CCGs have reacted to this shortfall of talent by calling on specialist contractors to plug the gaps. Although health professionals have been sought after in most regions, there has been a particular demand in the Central & East which many commentators have suggested is a result of the rising population in this area. Increasing numbers of professionals have found themselves squeezed out of the Capital as a result of the growing house prices and the majority have relocated to the Home Counties and East Anglian areas, which has placed stress on healthcare providers in these regions.

While the results from our analysis indicate a stable and growing contractor market, uncertainty over the upcoming general election is a potential dark cloud on the horizon. While many firms will focus on hiring business critical staff in the run up to the election, we don’t know how recruitment could be affected if, for example, the UK is faced with the prospect of an in-out referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU, or worse still a hung parliament.

What’s your view? Let us know by commentating below.

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Venn Group .